272 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



through the high reeds. It is better not to have a handle to the 

 box, as it would necessarily have to be square, and over six inches 

 high from the top of the box, so as to allow the lid to pass under 

 it ; and, being made in this way, would have a clumsy appearance, 

 and be of no particular benefit, but rather interfere with the motion 

 of the hands when loading with rapidity. If the box is filled with 

 the necessary ammunition before leaving the house, it may be very 

 conveniently carried to the boat by tying it up in a stout handker- 

 chief, or a leather strap may be attached to the box is such a way 

 as to serve the purpose of a handle. But we prefer taking all our 

 accoutrements to the boat in a small basket, and then transferring 

 them to the box, before leaving the shore. The basket also answers 

 a very good purpose for carrying the birds in from the boat on our 

 return, as they dry much better, and the plumage looks far more 

 nice than when dangling to a long string, upon which they become 

 soiled and ruffled, by dragging on the ground or pitching about in 

 the boat. However, if a stationary handle is convenient on some 

 accounts and inconvenient on others, it is easy enough to have a 

 shifting one put on, that may be taken off at pleasure; but we 

 prefer the old cotton handkerchief or basket, and so does a valued 

 friend of ours, a veteran sportsman, from whom we took the idea. 



Thus equipped, and provided with a good portion of ice, to allay 

 the parching thirst that generally attends this sport during the hot 

 days of summer, the shooter takes his position in the bow of the 

 boat, with gun in hand, left leg forward, and his body firmly 

 balanced. Being rightly placed, the sportsman now trusts him- 

 self to the skill and management of the "pusher" to carry him 

 through the reeds wherever the rails are most likely to be feeding. 



Great dexterity and muscular power are required in a pusher; 

 for without the former the shooter may be splashed from head to 

 foot, and perhaps rudely knocked overboard by the awkward 

 handling of the heavy pole by which the boat is made to shoot 

 through the reeds ; and, without the latter requisite, the skiff, in- 

 stead of proceeding in a regular, steady course, will start and 

 quiver with an uneasy motion, that renders the footing so unstabld 



